December 27, 2021

Can India safeguard its 50 native breeds of cows?

There are 50 breeds of native cows in India with maximum numbers of Gir, Lakhimi and Sahiwal cows. The native cattle breeds are key to promoting natural farming. The Indian government has several schemes to promote and safeguard these breeds. But are these enough?

Arvind Shukla
December 17, 2021

Bank Strike: “We will not allow public sector banks to be sold to private bidders”

Striking bankers across the country protest the privatisation of public sector banks and threaten to intensify their stir if the Indian government does not reconsider its plan. Government banks serve the poor, they have a responsibility towards society and these banks should not be sold to private operators, say the striking employees.

Arvind Shukla
December 16, 2021

Explained: Why are a million public sector bank employees on a two-day strike?

For two days, December 16-17, banking operations at public sector banks across the country will be affected as their employees have gone on a strike in protest against the Indian government’s move to privatise these banks. Why are they against privatisation? Read on to know more.

Arvind Shukla
November 24, 2021

‘Farm laws are set to be repealed, but we want resolutions’: Rakesh Tikait

Rakesh Tikait, national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Kisan Union, speaks to Gaon Connection on the long agitation that has led to the farm laws being repealed, but says there is still a long way to go before the agitating farmers go back home to their villages and farms.

Arvind Shukla
November 18, 2021

As shortage of fertilisers continue to plague farmers, the central government says there is enough and more

There have been farmer agitations, appeals and even deaths by suicide allegedly due to shortage of fertilisers in the country. While the government says there is no shortage, farmers continue to be plagued by unavailability, overpricing and blackmarketing of the indispensable DAP and NPK fertilisers.

Arvind Shukla
November 16, 2021

Hunar Haat: A fair that provides a common platform to artisans across the country

Hundreds of artisans and artistes from Kutch to Cuttack, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari find a platform to present and market their handicrafts at Hunar Haat. The handicrafts fair is happening in several cities across the country, and is also accessible online. A report from Hunar Haat in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Arvind Shukla
November 8, 2021

‘Even a domestic help earns more than we do’ – ASHA workers protest low honorarium and missing incentives

On October 30, ASHA workers from across Uttar Pradesh congregated in Lucknow, the state capital, to demand a hike in their monthly honorarium of Rs 2,000 and be considered a state government employee. A five-member committee is being formed to take the matter forward with the state government.

Arvind Shukla
November 6, 2021

Overwhelmed by debts, crop loss and his wife’s cancer treatment, farmer Anil Kumar Singh ended his life

The recent rains in Uttar Pradesh that damaged huge tracts of crops have led to utter despair amongst farmers. Rising debt and crop losses are leading to many of them dying by suicide. The latest NCRB data shows that 30 farmers and farm labourers die by suicide every day in India.

Arvind Shukla
October 20, 2021

Why are farmers in Uttar Pradesh selling paddy at low rates to private traders in the open market?

While government procurement for paddy in Uttar Pradesh has officially begun from October 1, paddy farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri and Shahjahanpur complain not a grain was procured from them till October 13. High moisture content in the crop is being blamed. Desperate farmers are forced to sell their produce in the open market at a rate much lower than the government approved MSP.

Arvind Shukla
October 4, 2021

When Lakhimpur Kheri’s annual dangal turned deadly; eight people killed

What was to have been a peaceful protest at a wrestling event at Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, turned bloody with four farmers mowed down by a car, and three BJP supporters and their driver lynched to death. Bodies of the dead farmers are yet to be cremated. Gaon Connection’s ground report from Lakhimpur.

Arvind Shukla